They answered him with a shout is literally “therefore (Greek oun) they shouted again saying,” which reflects Semitic Greek style.

No, not him! We want Barabbas! is literally “Not this one, but Barabbas.” Nothing is known of Barabbas other than what is said of him in this episode. The Greek noun translated bandit was translated “robber” in 10.1,8. This noun may have been used of guerrilla fighters engaged in subversive activity against the Romans. Such fighters would have been popular among the common people.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .